REDDITCH United suffered yet another dent to their Southern League Premier Division Central play-off hopes after losing 3-0 to Leamington, writes Jack Underwood.

The Reds almost had the perfect start to the game when only three minutes in some lovely play down the right-hand side saw Brad Burton’s cut-back hit first time by Jack Concannon but his effort was inches wide.

United continued to threaten throughout the first half with Musa Ceesay and Jordan Cranston coming close to taking the lead but Leamington keeper Callum Hawkins did well to keep the game goalless.

Redditch came really close to scoring after a Cranston free-kick was flicked on by Ryan Wollacott but it fell narrowly wide of the post.

However, just minutes later, the away side took the lead when Will Shorrock poked home from a deep free-kick that was floated into the area and flicked onto the midfielder.

The Reds almost made things level straight away when Ceesay threaded through Alex Cameron one-on-one but Hawkins rushed out of his area and cleared at the last second.

The teams entered half-time after a frantic first half and Redditch were unlucky to be behind.

Adam Harrison pulled off a super save at the start of the second half to deny Leamington a second goal from Shorrock.

The Brakes doubled their lead in the 61st minute after Rob Evans curled in a great free-kick from the edge of the area into the top left corner.

Late on, Redditch had the chance to pull one back when Harrison cleared the ball off the line twice before Cranston went down the other end and found Cameron one-on-one again but his shot was inches wide of the bottom corner.

Dan Meredith made it 3-0 to the visitors in injury-time with a thunderous strike to seal the win for Leamington at the Valley Stadium on Saturday.

Redditch are next in action on Good Friday at AFC Telford United before hosting Stourbridge on Easter Monday (both 3pm).

Redditch also fell 3-0 at the hands of leaders Needham Market last week.

For the Stourbridge game, United will be joined by Redditch Pride who are aiming to fundraise for a stage to use for Pride on June 8 in the town centre.

There will also be a band playing, Red Vengeance, before the game at 2.15pm and afterwards at 6pm in the 1891 Lounge.

There will be a happy hour (25% off drinks) from 1pm until 2pm in the main bar.

Jamie McGrath, Seth Chambers and Luke Ingram scored for the hosts.

Alvechurch also suffered several defeats, going down 2-0 at home to Telford before last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Kettering Town when Adi Yussuf netted a brace.

Church host high-flying Mickleover on Saturday before heading to Halesowen Town on Easter Monday (both 3pm).